TORONTO (AP) — Blue Jays slugger Jose Bautista left Tuesday night’s game against Baltimore after being hit in the helmet by a pitch from Orioles right-hander Jake Arrieta.
Bautista, who leads the majors with 31 home runs, was struck on the earflap of his batting helmet with an 0-2 pitch in the third inning. His helmet was knocked off as he fell to the ground.
Toronto’s trainers and manager John Farrell rushed to Bautista, who remained prone for a moment before getting on his knees. After a couple of minutes, Farrell motioned to the dugout for pinch-runner John McDonald and Bautista walked off the field without assistance.
Bautista came in batting .330 with 70 RBIs. He missed three games this month with a sprained right ankle.